Last June, we made a trip to Mount St. Helens. It was the kids first trip and our second. This time we managed to reach early enough to get into the Johnston Ridge Observatory at the top. The last trip we made, we were the only ones at the Parking lot. It was an eerie feeling with the cold winds gusting across the snow, almost in a howl and two puny Indians standing there trying to keep ourselves from flying away with the winds. 9-10 years ago we were quite unlike us today. We were the typically skinny, barely looking alive Indians. It was an Awesome View that made me shiver while thinking "Were we lucky to not have been here when it blew up or was it a once in a lifetime event if we survived it to talk of it?"
The kids enjoyed the activities at the Observatory more than they enjoyed the mountain and the trail paths. They loved viewing a small herd of Elk Grazing in the valley through the viewing deck's binoculars. I didnt realize that there was life in what is a valley of ash interpersed with vegetation and trees below, so I was in awe. Even through what was quite a powerful binocular they looked like a matchbox model of a car.
Here are the Pictures from the recent visit. The camera doesnt really do justice to the views but it does give out the vibe of the vastness and the panoramic scenes. Hope you enjoy the view.
This was the view of the mountain as we returned.
This Bridge seemed to make such a spectacle of itself in an otherwise Green Landscape. So I thought if it called attention, it needed documentation :P
The Johnston Ridge Observatory
The view of the mountain from Johnston Ridge. The poor thing looks like it has no head
There was a lake formed from the ice melt, part ash and part water.
The River of ash that is left in what seems like the valley.
This is the green area where the Elk were.
This is the most brave chipmunk I ever saw. It was ready to take nuts from my hands. I had to take its proud posture that seemed to say "Look!! I have a spine" (giggling)
This was the only thing that added colour to the otherwise grey/brown landscape at the top. Indian Paintbrushes, snapdragons and a few other shrubs whose names I do not know but they had voilet/pink flowers were the only ones that dared to survive the windy, cold, arid place.
Here is the Slide :
Have a Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanza! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Winter Solstice! and To all a Happy New Year!
19 comments:
That was quite interesting Rashmi. Thanks for the tour. Happy New Year to you too
It's too bad that some people can't afford to travel to see the beauty in the States. I would love to go there, but can't afford it right now. It looks breathtaking. Beautiful.
Thanks for the photo's. :)
I expected more snow. Those exploding slides are making me queasy.
Lovely photos, what a trip it must have been :)
Loved the photos...especially the bridge and the chipmunk.**SMiles**
I have never been to Mount St Helens, but I was living in Portland when it erupted. Everything here in Portland was covered with ash. People had to wear filter masks on their faces to keep from breathing the air. Right after the eruption the mayor ordered that no one drive over 5 miles per hour to help keep the ash on the streets from blowing around. For days afterward I used to stand on my porch and watch the follow-up steam and ash eruptions. I could see Mount St Helens from my porch.
Lovely photos. Thank you for sharing your trip.
wow, great photos!
Amazing how quickly the vegetation recovers after the area was so devastated!
Volcanoes are so fascinating!
Wow, I love the mountains! I grew up in Transylvania, where are mountains all around. Great pics... and that chipmunk is so cute.
Have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Isn't nature just awesome. I was only looking at photos of all the active volcanoes in the chain yesterday. Fabulous photos Rashmi.
Wow... We forget what isn't in front of us...I have never seen Mt. St. Helens either way...but marvel at how life and Mother nature always create anew in whatever form and circumstance it deems appropriate for the space. There were times in our different cultures where this was the norm for humans , too. Earth sustains... it is constantly reminding us ...and we need to take better advantage of that... Any bit of dirt will grow a life form that supports in one way or another... Mother Earth is our ONLY resourcing agent. Treat Her wisely, with loving care...and know that what you put into Her, She will give back to you... Her own Karmic dance with you. In the end, it will be Mother Earth who rules... She will play the game with you... but She will always win. Play nice , and watch out for surprise moves ....smiles
Thank you :).
:). You are welcome.
The roads to this area are open only in spring summer and fall. The snow had melted and what hadnt had the same colour as the ash, so it didnt look like it was snow. Changed the format for the slides :).
Glad you enjoyed them.
Oh wow! Lorraine, that is a lot of ash. I only saw pictures of the after affects in the surrounding areas and I was speechless. Glad to have you back.:)(hugs)
Samnang, I think they are fascinating too, especially when I look at our world and see most every continent has a mountain that is quietly waiting to spew.
I love them too...Somehow things in Nature makes me feel glad for life. That chipmunk though cute was behaving like he(I am assuming it is a he) had a touch of insanity. He was an entertainer, he would sit and allow a whole bunch of people to be really close around him. The kids and adults were fascinated watching him, some went to get some nuts just so they could feed him.
Thank you Ronnie. Mt. Hood(the mountain I can see from the road 2 minutes from my home) is one of them too and it rumbles ever so often but in really low growls so guess we are fine for now.
Jackie, it was really amazing to see that life actually thrives more passionately in such extremes. It makes me wonder about the balance I so seem to to want to maintain. I wonder if in the seeking of balance, my life is actually insipid...instead of spicy. I also wonder if all the spice is really worth it. Still in the unknown zone of inconclusivity.
Does Mother Earth 'wonder' about trying to maintain balance?... I do not think so... Mother Earth moves in a symbiotic relationsip with what She supports... It is a oneness and subject to change with intuitive choice and evolvement.... But in all cases Mother Nature does not control.. but simply manifests within Her realm what is appropriate in that timing and space and in a partnership with her occupants. Unconditional support of Mother Earth does play on the Egoic tendencies of humans...and they take advantage... much as our children do when we are too lenient. Your own message lies in recognizing your own timing is perfect and no need to control the natural course of events.. which leads to distortion of what would occur in an orderly fashion if left to symbiosis and partnership. Questioning if balance can be maintained is already creating an askew point of view... In the moment nothing is questioned.. Balance happens when the leashes are released and the body floats to its most comfortable place... the one of Peace and Acceptance....= Balance.
In actuality ... this is EXACTLY how Mother Earth responds to its problematic existence .
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